April 17, 2009 - TOP STORIES
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Minn. could see antler-point restrictions in 2010
DNR urges extra precautions for Prior Lake
Fishing reg changes open for comment
Fishing closures to protect spawning walleye
State archery tournament winners receive lifetime licenses
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Minn. could see antler-point restrictions in 2010
By John Weiss
Post-Bulletin of Rochester
ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) – In the future, when bluff land deer hunters see a buck, they might need to take a deep breath and count to four.
It’s possible they will have to make sure the buck has at least four one-inch tines on one side before they can shoot. That management method became the de facto focus of a late March deer-hunting round-table in Rochester.
Bluffland Whitetails Association organized the gathering of top Department of Natural Resources wildlife managers, deer-hunter groups and experts from three other states. BWA and several other groups say they are seeing too few big bucks and want a better chance to shoot one someday. Just knowing more big bucks are in the woods would make the hunt more enjoyable, and maybe keep more people hunting.
The question is how to get that balance. The answer that appeared most viable: point restrictions.
Lonnie Hansen of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is in the middle of leading such a change, and he said that although hunters objected at first, they began seeing more big bucks and changed their minds in fairly short order. Some counties now have 70 percent acceptance rates for that change, he said. The state is expanding the management technique into a majority of the state’s counties.
After a few years, the number of yearling bucks shot in Missouri fell 66 percent, he said. But the harvest of 2.5-year-olds rose 20 percent, 3.5-year-olds was up 62 percent and older ones rose 200 percent. Keep in mind, that the 200 percent rise really means a relatively small number because there weren’t that many in the first place.
But it was striking how Hansen said the initial hesitancy fell away when hunters got used to it and started seeing more big bucks.
That was a theme other speakers used. Even in Minnesota, where some experimental limits on bucks have been tried in state parks, the concept grew more popular each year. Hunters tried it, and they liked it.
The Minnesota DNR indicated it’s very receptive to antler point restrictions, and it’s likely that the southeast region would be the site of major experimental regulations. The DNR estimates that roughly half the yearling bucks wouldn’t meet the four-point standard and thus would be protected.
Another example cited of a place where it worked was Pennsylvania. It had the worst-managed deer herd in the country because of the tradition of killing most of the yearling bucks and not taking enough does, said Marrett Grund, a Minnesota DNR whitetail expert who once worked there.
With the restrictions, buck harvest fell from 203,000 to about 125,000 a year, he said. Hunters were happy because they now might see two or three bucks a day; before, seeing a buck was rare after the first day of the season, he said. The days of shoot-all-bucks are gone.
Point restrictions were able to “break the back of that tradition,” he said.
In Minnesota, buck harvest statewide with antler-point restrictions would fall from about 110,000 to about 65,000, Grund said. But it could also mean more does would be shot, because in areas where the DNR wants to cull the herd by offering many antlerless permits, 84 percent of hunters only take one deer, he said. If they can’t take a yearling, they might take a doe.
Kip Adams, a biologist with the Quality Deer Management Association, said about 60 percent of its bucks harvested in Minnesota are yearlings, which is among the highest in the country. Having too few older bucks means more yearlings will breed. That means they go into winter in poorer shape, he said.
The meeting, however, was just the beginning, said Dave Schad, director of the Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. The DNR plans to do an intensive survey of hunters in this region, then hold public meetings about possible changes. The earliest any big change will come would be 2010, he said.
“We have a lot of work to do,” he said.
But two other top managers added a huge note of optimism that change is coming.
People at the meeting showed off some cutting-edge ideas, said Lou Cornicelli, big-game program coordinator. “I’m encouraged that we can begin doing all of this stuff.”
Added Dennis Simon, wildlife section chief, “I think we are on the verge of doing something.”
DNR urges extra precautions for Prior Lake
DNR News
A recent discovery of zebra mussel shells in Prior Lake means boaters and anglers should take extra precautions when using the popular southwestern metro lake, according to officials from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Although officials aren’t certain whether the shells originally came from live zebra mussels in the lake or were brought to the area on equipment and fell off, they said it’s likely the lake is infested.
After a homeowner reported finding unusual looking shells along the southeast shore of lower Prior Lake, DNR biologists found about a dozen empty zebra mussel shells. DNR staff will look for zebra mussels in Prior Lake as soon as ice is off the lake and will designate the lake as infested if live zebra mussels are found.
A nonnative invasive species, zebra mussels pose serious ecological and economic threats to Minnesota’s lakes and streams. Heavy infestations can kill native mussels, may impact fish populations, can interfere with recreation, and can increase costs for industry, including power and water supply facilities. Native to Eastern Europe and Western Russia, zebra mussels were first discovered in Minnesota in 1989 in the Duluth harbor. They subsequently have spread to eight inland lakes, including Mille Lacs, and to portions of the Mississippi, St. Croix and Zumbro rivers.
If the presence of zebra mussels is confirmed in Prior Lake, it could pose risks for other waters, said Luke Skinner, supervisor of DNR’s invasive species unit.
“As one of the larger lakes in the Twin Cities metro area, Prior Lake has significant boat traffic, with people coming and going all the time,” Skinner said. “Everyone is going to have to be extra vigilant to keep from spreading these pests to other waters.”
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Fishing reg changes open for comment
DNR News
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is inviting public comments and suggestions about changes being considered to the recreational and commercial fishing regulations.
Public comments will be considered for inclusion in a package of rules that will be drafted after the May 29 comment deadline. The final rules package will be made available for public review and comment through the State Register.
“This is the start of the process we use to clarify and change specific portions of our fishing regulations,” said Linda Erickson-Eastwood, DNR fisheries program manager. “We will take into account any suggestions the public may have on rules that are under consideration.”
A complete listing of the proposed changes under consideration can be found in the March 30, edition of the State Register at http://www.comm.media.state.mn.us or on the DNR Web site at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/rules/fisheries.
Comments may be submitted through May 29 in writing to Linda Erickson-Eastwood, Box 20, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4020.
Comments will be accepted by telephone at 651-259-5200 or toll free 888-MINNDNR (646-6367). Comments can be sent electronically via e-mail to Linda.Erickson-Eastwood@dnr.state.mn.us or by visiting the DNR’s online fishing rules page at http://mndnr.gov/input/rules/fisheries.
Among the recreational fishing changes to be considered are:
• Eliminating the aggregate limits for brook, brown and rainbow trout in Lake Superior and Lake Superior tributary streams.
• Amending the Lake trout season to include the first full weekend of October.
• Closing the Lester River from 100 feet lake-ward from the Superior Street Bridge to protect spawning fish that attempt to ascend the falls, making themselves vulnerable to angler harvest.
• Removing the seasonal closures on the Little Knife River (St. Louis County) and the Knife River above Co Road 9 (St. Louis and Lake counties).
• Adding Knife River Marina and McQuade Road Public Access to the designation list for posting seasonal closures to fishing.
• Clarifying the use of spawn bags to be used as bait for angling.
• Opening additional border waters and river systems to night bow fishing.
• Changing yellow perch bag limits to 10 daily and 40 in possession on Minnesota-South Dakota border waters.
Among the commercial fishing changes to be considered for Lake Superior are:
• Requiring white fish to be harvested under a special permit.
• Adding safety requirements for commercial nets being used in Lake Superior.
• Reducing the amount of gill net that can be set for chubs (both total footage and individual license footage) and setting limitations on gear and number of licensed operators in the rainbow smelt fishery.
• Implementing special permit conditions and additional reporting requirements for the commercial taking of lake trout, cisco and whitefish.
• Proposing modifications to rules that determine where commercial nets can be set in Lake Superior, especially those that are set in proximity to marinas and public access areas.
Fishing closures to protect spawning walleye
DNR News
To protect concentrations of spawning walleye, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will close several spawning areas in Cook County at the beginning of the 2009 fishing season. Closures on Minnesota-Ontario waters are made in cooperation with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and affect both sides of the border.
The DNR is closing these areas because heavy snow cover, cold temperatures, and the early fishing season opener will likely mean late ice-out on area waters. These factors make it more likely that walleye will still be concentrated and vulnerable when the season opens.
The following closures went into effect April 1:
• Sea Gull River from Sea Gull Lake through Gull Lake to Saganaga Lake approximately 1/3 mile north of the narrows will be closed through May 22. (Anglers should be aware that Sea Gull Lake is not included in these closures. Language in the 2009 regulations booklet stating that Sea Gull Lake would be closed was an error).
• Saganaga Falls on the Minnesota Ontario border where the Granite River enters Saganaga Lake will be closed through May 31.
• Maligne River (also known as Northern Light Rapids) on the Ontario side of Saganaga Lake will be closed through May 31.
• Channel between Little Gunflint and Little North Lakes on the Minnesota Ontario border will be closed through May 31.
• Cross River (inlet to Gunflint Lake) from the Gunflint Trail to Gunflint Lake will be closed through May 22.
The following areas will be closed to fishing from May 9 through May 22:
• Tait River from White Pine Lake to the Forest Road 339 crossing, including a portion of White Pine Lake.
• Junco Creek from the first log dam above County Road 57 downstream to Devil Track Lake, and including a portion of Devil Track Lake near the river mouth.
These closures apply to fishing only; travel is permitted through these areas. All closed areas will be posted. Questions can be directed to the DNR office in Grand Marais at 218-387-3056.
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State archery tournament winners receive lifetime licenses
DNR News
The top male and female student archers who participated March 28 in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) National Archery In The Schools Program (NASP) state tournament each received their choice of a lifetime hunting or fishing license.
Chantelle Skarda of South Campus High School in White Bear Lake and Austin Bosse of Jackson Middle School finished first in the individual male and female competitions. In addition to the lifetime licenses, Skarda and Bosse also received a Genesis bow and a Morrell target.
“Nearly 700 students from throughout the state participated in the tournament,” said Kraig Kiger, DNR shooting sports program administrator. “NASP keeps involving more schools, more students, and more families in the safe and fun lifetime activity of archery.”
Five years ago, 56 student archers shot in the state tournament, shooting high scores just above 200. This year, 689 students from 48 schools participated with high scores ranging from 275 to 290. Archers must shoot 30 arrows into the target bullseye to achieve a perfect score of 300.
Statewide, 96,656 students from 285 schools participate in NASP. The DNR’s Archery in the Schools grant program provides $1,500 in funding to qualifying schools to defray the cost of equipment and program-related training.
Tournament results include:
•Weston Bovitz of Champlin Park High School was the top high school male finisher. Holly Petry of White Bear Lake was the top female in the middle school age group. Top elementary age group finishers were Josie Zimmerman and Cole Anderly, both from Grandview Middle School in Mound. The top five male and female individuals in the elementary, middle school and high school divisions were awarded medals for their efforts and earned an opportunity to attend the NASP National Championships May 8-9 in Louisville, Ky.
•White Bear Lake took first place in the National High School Division. Jackson Middle School finished first in the National Middle School Division. Hilltop Primary School in Mound took first place in the National Elementary School Division. Each team earned an opportunity to participate in the NASP National Championships.
•In the State Division, North Country Archers of Grand Rapids finished first in the high school age group, St. Croix Prep in Stillwater took first in the middle school age group and Mountain Iron/Buhl finished first in the elementary age group.
•The top three teams in each division and each age group received trophies. All teams scoring above 2,500 in the elementary group, 2,600 in the middle school group and 2,700 in the high school group earned an invite to the NASP National Championships.
•Students in grades 4-6 competed in the elementary age group. Students in grades 7-8 competed in the middle school age group. Students in grades 9-12 competed in the high school age group.
•Jill McKinney from Northalnd High School in Remer was selected as NASP Coach of the Year. McKinney won the award because of her program’s involvement of students in a wide variety of activities and her ability to maintain a well-rounded and respected NASP program. McKinney will serve on the committee that selects next year’s coach of the year winner.
•Individual results, high school female: Chantelle Skarda, White Bear Lake Area High School, first; Pakou Thoa, White Bear Lake Area High School, second; Heidi Melgren, White Bear Lake Area High School, third; Sheng Thoa, White Bear Lake Area High School, fourth; Kendra Nelson, Princeton High School, fifth.
•Individual results, high school male: Weston Bovitz, Champlin Park High School, first; Nick Sloan, St. Croix Prep, Stillwater, second; Cody Rupert, Osakis High School, third; Jake Cahill, White Bear Lake Area High School, fourth; Andrew Grooms, Grand Rapids Home School, fifth.
•Individual results, middle school female: Holly Petry, White Bear Lake, first; Ellen Ahlness, White Bear Lake, second; Courtney Owens, Jackson Middle School, third; Tessa Stark, Jackson Middle School, fourth; Faith Filipiak, Robert J. Elkington Middle School, Grand Rapids, fifth.
•Individual results, middle school male: Austin Bosse, Jackson Middle School, first; Jacob Moter, Jackson Middle School, second; Tim Juelich, White Bear Lake, third; Mitch Monforton, Grandview Middle School, Mound, fourth; Scott Harrison, Grandview Middle School, Mound, fifth.
•Individual results, elementary school female: Josie Zimmerman, Grandview Middle School, Mound, first; Katrina Knutson, Grandview Middle School, Mound, second; Karlie Wagner, Grandview Middle School, Mound, third; Kenzie Smith, St. Croix Prep, Stillwater, fourth; Breanna Linder, Hilltop Primary School, Mound, fifth.
•Individual results, elementary school male: Cole Anderly, Grandview Middle School, Mound, first; Cooper Johnson, Jackson Middle School, second; Sam Archer, Princeton, third; Mason Kaske, White Bear Lake, fourth; Colin Palm, Grandview Middle School, Mound, fifth.
•National Division, high school: White Bear Lake Area High School, first; Osakis High School, second; Mountain Iron-Buhl High School, third.
•National Division, middle school: Jackson Middle School, first; Grandview Middle School, Mound, second; Robert J. Elkington Middle School, Grand Rapids, third.
•National Division, elementary school: Hilltop Primary School, Mound, first; Hill City School, second; Jackson Middle School, third.
•State Division, high school: North Country Archers, Grand Rapids, first; Grand Rapids High School, second; Yellow Medicine East, third.
•State Division, middle school: St. Croix Prep, Stillwater, first; New Prague, second; Osakis Middle School, third.
•State Division, elementary school: Mountain Iron-Buhl, first; Itasca Archery-Pioneers, Grand Rapids, second; Woodbury Middle School, third.
© 2009 Outdoors Weekly (PK Outdoors, Inc.)